Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game and the eighth major installment in the Mario Kart series, developed and published by Nintendo. It released on the Nintendo Wii-U console and was re-released on the Nintendo Switch as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; which included both of the DLC packages from the original game and Mercedes-Benz bonus vehicles, as well as additional characters. The 200CC difficulty is also available as standard. It also features improved graphics, sound, performance, gameplay adjustments, and online gameplay; which now requires a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online for the Nintendo Switch version. The game also has limited VoIP support through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.

Both versions of Mario Kart 8 feature Amiibo support for playable characters that appear in-game and unlock additional features, including custom costumes for any user-created Mii characters.

Biography
The game continues the traditional gameplay of the Mario Kart series, in which characters from the Mario universe race against each other in go-karts and bikes, attempting to hinder their opponents or improve their racing performance using various tools found in item boxes. Returning features from previous installments include motorbikes, and 12-player racing from Mario Kart Wii, as well as hang gliders, underwater racing, and vehicle customization from Mario Kart 7.

Trivia

 * The Battle Mode was redesigned for Mario Kart 8 and took place on the standard tracks rather than specific battle maps. This change received generally negative feedback from critics and players and was removed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch; which bought back the regular version of Battle Mode.
 * For the first time since Mario Kart 7 it's possible to hold 2 items at once in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: the difference is that in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe both items can be stored and sometimes used sequentially, whereas in Mario Kart 7 one of the items had to be dragged behind the cart, and not all items could be used like this; getting hit by a lightning bolt will still cause the player to drop all items in addition to up to 3 coins. If a target person is currently using an Invincibility Star they will only lose any items being held and will neither be shrunk or lose coins.
 * Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features limited Nintendo Switch Online app support for voice-chat and also requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play online.
 * The jump feather makes an appearance in the Battle Mode of the game which last appeared in Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, although the item exists in the source-code for Mario Kart 64, despite being removed from gameplay.